ancestors; forefathers; previous generations
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
ancestors; forefathers; previous generations of a family
literaryRefers to one's ancestors or earlier generations of a family lineage. Often used in formal, historical, or literary contexts.
Xiān先
shì世
jū居
yú于
Jiāng江
nán南
，
hòu后
qiān迁
zhì至
běi北
fāng方
。
His ancestors lived in Jiangnan, and later moved to the north.
Wǒ我
jiā家
xiān先
shì世
yǐ以
wù务
nóng农
wéi为
yè业
。
My ancestors made their living as farmers.
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Zhuī追
sù溯
xiān先
shì世
，
nǎi乃
míng名
mén门
wàng望
zú族
。
Tracing back to previous generations, they were a prestigious family.
Xiān先
shì世
liú留
xià下
lái来
de的
chuán传
tǒng统
bù不
néng能
diū丢
qì弃
。
The traditions left by our ancestors cannot be discarded.